The rock ptarmigan is circumpolar and can be found in many areas north of the Arctic Circle, including countries such as Russia, Sweden, Canada, Iceland and Greenland. In some instances they may be found further south in places like Japan.

Diet

Adult ptarmigans will feed on leaves, flowers, berries, buds, twigs and other types of vegetation. Young ptarmigan chicks will also be fed insects in addition to vegetation.

Habitat

Rock ptarmigans can often be found in elevated, rocky, sloped areas of the tundra. Females and chicks may prefer areas with brush to protect them from predators, while males may prefer open, barren areas to assist them in locating predators and other ptarmigans.

Size and Description

Rock ptarmigans measure between 12 - 16 inches in length. The Rock ptarmigans may molt several times a year and will change colors when it does so. During the summer months, they will have a spotted brown color with males shedding their white winter plumage later than females. This allows the males to be spotted by females easily against the brown tundra, but also allows them to be seen by predators. Females are extremely difficult to spot in the summer, even from close distances. In the winter both sexes shed their brown plumage for an almost pure white coat. Males have a red comb over their eyes.

Reproduction

Females will lay between 6 - 10 eggs and will then incubate them for about 3 weeks. The male will leave the female, eggs and nest at some point during the incubation period, and the female will complete the raising of the chicks on her own. The chicks will acquire feathers, also known as fledging, in about 10 - 12 days.